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Time to re-gear

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:41 am
by SmokeEater829
I've been on the forum for a while learning about the B2 I picked up about a year and a half ago. It's an 88 4x4. The previous owner had done the axle swaps before I got it. It has a Dana 35 front and an 8.8 rear. Since I've gotten it, I've dropped in a reman 2.9L, rebuilt FM 146 tranny, and fixed many smaller items the previous owner/owners had messed up. It's mainly my hunting truck and so far it has served me well. I noticed last hunting season that when I put a utility trailer behind it with my 4 wheeler on it that she is WAY low on power.

Got it home from the lease and began to dig around some more. Found out that I have 3.55 gears front and rear. Combine the 2.9L, 3.55 gears, and the 29x12.5 swampers that came on the truck and no wonder that it is sluggish. I'm gonna re-gear both axles. Thinking 4.56's will be good, but I'd like to hear some other opinions.

I plan to change tires before next hunting season. I'll be putting some 31x10.5's on it. I do very little highway driving with the truck so rpm's at highway speeds aren't that important. Mostly looking for a little more grunt when towing my trailer and climbing hills.

Also, the truck is lifted but I don't know which kit it has. I think it's a 4", but not sure. While I'm tearing into the axles. I'd like to address the pinion angle. Does anyone make a tapered rear lift block that would help, or is cutting and relocating the spring perches my only option. The angle isn't too bad, but it could definitely be better. My rear driveshaft is showing a little too much of the splines for my liking. But maybe I'm ok. Not sure really.

Thanks for y'all's input!!!!!

Re: Time to re-gear

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:48 am
by Mudhog1977
I had an 89 I put 3.73's in it did good, I'd go with a 4.10

Re: Time to re-gear

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 12:16 am
by iceman21
You can find a beefy rear driveline on google, if you run the 31/10.50 with the different gearing you WILL snap that little girls rear driveline. I did a strength test and the the front drive axle is stronger the b2 rear driveline.

Re: Time to re-gear

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 9:50 pm
by Mudhog1977
I'm running 33's on the 7.5 with 4.10 gears and I wheel it hard, never broke anything